Noah K. Murray/The Star-LedgerRutgers slugger Patrick Kivlehan (47) celebrates a home run he hit earlier this season against Wagner as his teammates wait for him at home plate. Kivlehan, who also played four years of football for Rutgers, was selected in the fourth round of the MLB draft Tuesday.

During his junior year with the Rutgers football team, Patrick Kivlehan realized his childhood dreams of playing professional football were almost certainly unattainable. He hadn’t emerged as a starting defensive back as he had envisioned before joining the team, and rarely played other than on special teams.

That same year, Kivlehan first started thinking about pursuing baseball — the sport he gave up for football — after his career on the gridiron was over. He never imagined he’d play professionally on the diamond, either.

Kivlehan’s remarkable journey took its latest twist today when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft by the Seattle Mariners. The 6-2, 210-pound Kivlehan, who played third base this season for the Scarlet Knights, was selected No. 131 overall by the Mariners.

A four-year defensive back on the Rutgers football team, Kivlehan walked on to the baseball team in January and became an instant star. He was named Big East Conference Player of the Year last month after winning the first triple crown in league history.

“It’s surreal. I didn’t have any expectations like this when the season started,” Kivlehan said. “I just wanted to get back in the game because I missed it and I loved it and I had just been away from it so long. To have this moment right now is a dream come true.”
Kivlehan led Rutgers in batting (.392), homers (14), RBI (50), slugging (.693), on-base percentage (.480) and steals (24).

He starred in football and baseball at St. Joseph’s of Montvale High, where he set school records in both sports. He turned down chances to play college baseball to accept his only Division 1 football scholarship offer and play for Rutgers. He appeared in 43 games as a backup, making 40 tackles and one interception.

Kivlehan earned Big East player of the week honors in late March after reaching base safely in 12 of 15 plate appearances against Seton Hall in the first conference series of the season. The following week, MLB scouts began calling Kivlehan and showing up at games.

Kivlehan said the Mariners and area scout Mike Moriarty showed the steadiest interest, but that several teams had been in contact recently.

Kivlehan and his family watched the draft yesterday via an internet hookup at their home in West Nyack, N.Y. He heard his name announced and received a call from Moriarty shortly afterward. Moriarty told him to enjoy the evening and that he would call back soon with details of what’s next.

“People always come up to me and say, ‘How did you do this?’ ” Kivlehan said.

“I don’t really know what to say. I don’t have the perfect answer. I just shrug it off and say, ‘I have no idea.’"